Application Guide

How to Apply for People Operations Partner (POP)

at Ethereum Foundation

🏢 About Ethereum Foundation

The Ethereum Foundation is a global non-profit dedicated to supporting Ethereum as open, neutral infrastructure. It operates with high agency and minimal bureaucracy, offering a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge blockchain technology in a fully remote, values-driven environment.

About This Role

As a People Operations Partner, you'll directly support teams within one of EF's clusters, coaching leads on org design, team health, and conflict resolution. You'll also drive cross-org initiatives, shaping how the entire foundation works at scale.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start with async check-ins across time zones, then coach a team lead on restructuring a pod. Afternoon: facilitate a conflict resolution session between two engineers, then draft a lightweight performance feedback process for the cluster. End the day collaborating on a cross-org initiative to improve remote onboarding.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Ethereum Foundation Is Looking For

  • 5+ years of generalist People Ops experience, ideally in tech or decentralized environments.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and building lightweight processes from scratch.
  • Strong coaching and influencing skills without direct authority.
  • Proven conflict resolution and facilitation experience.

📝 Tips for Applying to Ethereum Foundation

1

Highlight specific examples of coaching managers through org design or team health challenges.

2

Show your experience with remote-first teams and async communication.

3

Emphasize any familiarity with blockchain, crypto, or open-source communities.

4

Tailor your resume to demonstrate high agency and ability to operate with minimal oversight.

5

In your cover letter, mention a specific cross-org initiative you'd love to drive at EF.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your ability to balance hands-on team support with strategic cross-org projects.', 'Experience building lightweight, effective processes in ambiguous environments.', 'Proven conflict resolution and coaching skills with concrete examples.', "Alignment with EF's mission of decentralized, open infrastructure."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the Ethereum Foundation blog and understand its current initiatives.
  • → Explore how EF's clusters (e.g., Research, Dev) operate and their unique needs.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Ethereum's roadmap (e.g., Merge, sharding).
  • → Review EF's approach to decentralization and how it applies to People Ops.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you coached a team lead through a difficult people decision.
2 How would you design a compensation process for a cluster with diverse roles?
3 Tell me about a time you mediated a conflict between team members.
4 How do you prioritize when supporting multiple teams with competing needs?
5 What experience do you have with remote team dynamics and async work?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic HR jargon – EF values practical, lightweight solutions.
  • Don't focus on compliance-heavy or traditional corporate HR experience.
  • Don't underestimate the need for high agency – they want proactive problem-solvers.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Ethereum Foundation!

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